The Sunday herald., 1887-01-23
THE NATIONAL OPERA.
Some Press Opinions of the COmpnn
and liz Work,


The season OF American opera which closed In
Boston last Saturday night was an entire success.
The Home journal, In its review of the second
weeks work, said:
None will deny that during the brief season OF
opera that will be concluded ~ the Boston Theatre
this evening Boston ms been favored with series
of the most thoroughly sincere and effective per.
formances OF grand opera that have ever been
Witnessed here. The performances have been re.
marKable for the musical effect created. not, it il
true, by any unusual number OF stars Of the firs,
magnitude, hut by tout ensemble that 1t would be
dlfcult to surpasg.
criticisms upon the fine performance OF the "IIu
guenots." or the production OF "Aida' the sam,
journal said:
The week opened with "Aila, y the title role being
| assumed 10y Nine. Fursch- Ma,ii. That there are
certain natural disadvantages which prevent Nine
Fursch- Madi from presenting an ideal impersona
ton OF the role IL true, yet she none the less
a genuine triumph by combination of such singing
and acting as none hut lyric artist OF The bghes
rank could 80 effectively present. The tragic inten
sty OF feeling she displayed did not fall to enhance
the power of her vocasin. and make OF II something
more than an exhibition OF artistic skill, for 1t pre-
sented 1t very forcefully as an absolute Language
trnthfnlness Of her performance was quite cveniy
associated with very profound conception OF tn,
plot, as well as the exlgencies and possibilities o
wedded Nine. Mndl appears conspicuous as
queen of lyric tragedy. Other prlma donnas exec
her In the elaborate use OF nord ornament, while
often hiding their arias In delicate yet dazzling su
perstrnctures, and often exhibiting viruosity
| than good taste; but Nine. Madis voice Is heard a
It's most telling advantage when singing trutnfulll
| and ardently. Mr.. Ludwig al hmonaBr0 sang Tho
| music well, sometimes extremely well, while In his
dramatic conception OF his part he displayed adm!.
| rabe judgment. As Ramns, Mr. Whitney sang thu
| music misunderstanding number Of slight deyia
tons which 1t would seem snpernuOus TO consider
and he contributed greatly TO the success OF the per
| fornance. Mr.. Babcock as the King was careful
and solid In his acnR ami was very elective In bis
vocal rendering OF the role. more charming and
picturesque mise en- scene has never been witnessed
here any previous performance OF the opera, and
| many other effects, such as costumes, etc, were
| correspondingly wei produced
ofthe "Flying Dutchman' the Home Jourha
| said:
| There were but few exceptions to the general ex
cellence OF the performance, the cast being as fol
| lows; Deland, MyronW. Whitney; Senta, Emma Juch
| Erik, Charles Basset; Mary, Mathilde Phillips; Tn,
| Seeraman, William II. Fessenden The Dutchman
William Ludwig. The performance of the title rol,
| was throughout worthy OF the admlrlnR praise tina
| II called forth, and a notable success was also wOI
| by Mr. Whitney as Deand, hls success being no
only indisputabe, hut really great and legitimate.
| The effect that his acting and singing produced
| indeed, went beyond anything that can be recalled
| In the same part on any former occasion. MIR. has
gether unacceptable; and the Senta OF Nine. Jucl
was simply perfect.
| And In closing It's review OF the weeks work tn
| Journal said:
| II is gratifying to record that financially and ar
| tlsticaly more successful season OF grand oper
| has never been witnessed here.